Ferster Andrea

For community organizations, environmental advocates, historic preservation groups, and individuals in Washington, DC, navigating complex legal issues often requires specialized expertise that goes beyond general practice. When it comes to safeguarding our shared heritage, protecting our environment, or establishing and maintaining a vital nonprofit organization, having an attorney with deep, focused knowledge and a strong commitment to public interest is essential. This is precisely where Andrea Ferster, a highly respected attorney with her own practice right here in the District of Columbia, offers invaluable legal counsel.

Andrea Ferster has been practicing law in Washington, DC, and New York for over 30 years, establishing herself as a "relentless advocate" in her fields of expertise. Her law offices, established in 1992, are dedicated to public interest law, primarily focusing on environmental and historic preservation litigation and advocacy, as well as nonprofit tax and corporate matters. She is recognized for her in-depth understanding of federal environmental and historic preservation laws, offering crucial support to local governments, citizens' groups, and national organizations.

Beyond litigation, Ms. Ferster is a go-to expert for nonprofit organizations, providing a range of advice and assistance on tax and corporate matters, including the critical process of obtaining 501(c)(3) tax exemption. Her work also extends to land use and zoning issues, particularly those that intersect with environmental impact and historic preservation concerns in D.C. and New York. She serves as General Counsel to the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, highlighting her significant contributions to trail and greenway planning and the preservation of railroad corridors for public use. Her long-standing commitment to these specialized areas and her consistent recognition by peers, including being selected to Super Lawyers for multiple years, underscore her profound impact on the legal and community landscapes in Washington, DC.

Andrea Ferster's law office is conveniently located at 2121 Ward Ct NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA. This address places her practice in the desirable West End neighborhood of Washington, DC, offering excellent accessibility for clients throughout the District and the wider metropolitan area.

The office’s location provides straightforward access for those traveling by public transportation. The Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro station (serving the Orange, Blue, and Silver lines) is within comfortable walking distance, connecting clients from various parts of DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland. Numerous Metrobus routes also operate in the vicinity, providing additional convenient options for commuters.

For clients arriving by car, the West End typically offers a mix of metered street parking and commercial parking garages. While it’s always wise to factor in potential traffic and parking availability when visiting downtown DC, the area generally provides reasonable options. The strategic placement of her office in this well-connected part of Washington, DC, ensures that individuals, community groups, and non-profit organizations can easily access Ms. Ferster's specialized legal expertise for their critical needs.

Andrea Ferster's law practice provides highly specialized legal services focused on environmental protection, historic preservation, land use, and nonprofit law. Her key service areas include:

• Environmental Litigation and Advocacy: Representing citizens' groups, local governments, and national organizations in litigation to enforce federal environmental laws, particularly those related to the impact of transportation projects (e.g., highways) on the environment.
• Historic Preservation Law: Advocating and litigating to enforce federal and state historic preservation laws, including cases involving the National Historic Preservation Act and Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act. This includes defending historic resources from federally-assisted development projects.
• Nonprofit Tax and Corporate Matters: Providing comprehensive legal advice and assistance to nonprofit organizations, including the process of obtaining 501(c)(3) tax exemption from the IRS, advising on corporate governance, compliance, and other tax-exempt organization issues.
• Land Use & Zoning: Representing individuals, neighborhood associations, and nonprofit organizations before D.C. and New York courts and agencies on zoning, land use, and environmental impact issues, ensuring adherence to local ordinances and regulations.
• Transportation Advocacy: Engaging in litigation and advocacy to enforce federal transportation policies and to defend laws that promote the preservation of railroad corridors for public use, often related to the "Rails-to-Trails" program.
• Rails-to-Trails Legal Advice: Serving as General Counsel to the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, providing specialized legal advice and representation on all aspects of trail development, railbanking, and related legal issues.
• Litigation on behalf of Nonprofit Organizations: Representing various nonprofit organizations, including the National Trust for Historic Preservation, in cases related to their mission and legal challenges.

Andrea Ferster's distinguished career and practice are highlighted by several significant features:

• Deep Public Interest Focus: Her practice is fundamentally a public interest law office, demonstrating a strong commitment to environmental protection, historic preservation, and supporting nonprofit causes, which aligns with the values of many DC residents and organizations.
• Over 30 Years of Specialized Experience: With more than three decades in the field, Ms. Ferster brings an extensive depth of knowledge and practical experience to highly specific and often complex areas of law.
• General Counsel to Rails-to-Trails Conservancy: Her long-standing role as General Counsel for the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy highlights her expertise and leadership in transportation advocacy, land use, and the repurposing of historic infrastructure for public benefit. She is considered a national authority on railbanking.
• Recognized by Peers: Ms. Ferster has been consistently selected to Super Lawyers for multiple years (2013-2025), which is a testament to her high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement in her practice areas.
• Expertise in 501(c)(3) Organizations: Clients attest to her being "quite knowledgeable on 501c3 orgs," indicating her strong command of nonprofit tax and corporate matters, crucial for the numerous non-profit entities in Washington, DC.
• Active Litigator and Advocate: Known as a "relentless advocate," she actively engages in litigation and advocacy before federal and local courts and agencies, ensuring her clients' interests are vigorously defended.
• Thought Leader and Educator: She has frequently lectured on historic preservation law and has contributed to legal scholarship, demonstrating her role as a thought leader in her specialized fields.
• Washington, DC Native & Alumna: As a DC native and an alumna of George Washington University Law School, she possesses a deep appreciation for the city's history and architecture, which enriches her historic preservation practice.

As a solo practitioner and public interest law office, Andrea Ferster does not typically offer traditional "promotions" or "special offers" in a commercial sense. Her value proposition lies in her highly specialized expertise, her long-standing commitment to public interest causes, and her proven track record in complex environmental, historic preservation, and nonprofit legal matters.

For prospective clients, the "offer" is access to an attorney with over 30 years of experience who is deeply knowledgeable and passionately committed to her niche areas of law. Her focus is on providing high-quality, dedicated legal services that align with the mission and objectives of her clients, particularly those involved in community development, environmental protection, and preserving cultural heritage. While there are no publicized discounts, her firm aims to provide efficient and effective legal representation that delivers tangible results for the public good. Interested parties are encouraged to contact her office directly for an initial consultation to discuss their specific legal needs.

For individuals, community groups, and nonprofit organizations in Washington, DC, seeking expert legal guidance on environmental law, historic preservation, land use, and nonprofit corporate and tax matters, you can contact Andrea Ferster.

• Address: 2121 Ward Ct NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA
• Phone: (202) 974-5142
• Mobile Phone: +1 202-974-5142

For residents, community organizations, and non-profits within the District of Columbia, Andrea Ferster's law office is an exceptionally suitable and valuable legal resource. Washington, DC, is a city rich in history, a hub for environmental advocacy, and home to a vast number of non-profit organizations. This unique environment creates a constant need for legal counsel that understands the intricacies of these specific fields.

Ms. Ferster’s over 30 years of dedicated practice in environmental litigation, historic preservation, and nonprofit law directly addresses the most critical legal needs of this local community. Her expertise in helping 501(c)(3) organizations navigate tax and corporate matters is particularly beneficial for the numerous non-profits that form the backbone of DC’s civic and social landscape. Furthermore, her work on land use, zoning, and transportation projects, especially those impacting historic or natural areas, is directly relevant to local development and preservation efforts.

As a "relentless advocate" and a DC native, Ms. Ferster brings not only her legal acumen but also a deep personal appreciation for the city's heritage and a commitment to its future. Her convenient location in the West End ensures easy accessibility for local clients. For anyone in Washington, DC, committed to protecting our environment, preserving our history, or ensuring the legal integrity of their non-profit, Andrea Ferster offers the specialized knowledge, experience, and advocacy needed to navigate complex legal challenges and achieve meaningful, positive outcomes for the community.